Odin 2 Portal Review: This Heckin Screen!

 

Table of Contents

• 🎮 Introduction
• 📊 Specs and Pricing
• 🔄 Recap of What We Know
• 🆕 New and Confirmed Elements
• ⚡ Performance Testing
• 🔋 Battery Life
• 🖥️ Screen Experience
• 📡 Streaming and HDR
• 🟢 Green Tint?
• 👍👎 Summary (Likes and Dislikes)
• 🎯 Conclusion

🎮 Introduction

When it comes to premium Android-based handheld gaming devices, the Odin 2 Portal stands out as a compelling contender. As an avid gamer and tech enthusiast, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time testing and analyzing this device, and I’m excited to share with you my in-depth thoughts on everything it offers. From its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor to its stunning 7-inch 1080p OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Odin 2 Portal promises a premium gaming experience that could very well be the best Android handheld on the market.

In this detailed review, I’ll walk you through the specs, pricing, and everything I’ve learned from both the early prototype and the final review unit. Whether you’re an emulator fanatic, a fan of Android gaming, or someone interested in game streaming, this device has a lot to offer. So grab your favorite snack and drink, and let’s dive into what makes the Odin 2 Portal tick and where it might fall short.

📊 Specs and Pricing

Let’s start with the basics: the technical specifications and pricing tiers of the Odin 2 Portal. This device is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which remains one of the most capable Android chips available. While not the absolute bleeding edge anymore, it’s more than powerful enough to handle any Android game or emulator you throw at it.

The Odin 2 Portal comes in three main configurations, each differing in RAM, storage, and color options:

• Base Model: 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, available only in black, priced at $330 (pre-order pricing).
• Pro Model: 12GB RAM, 512GB storage, available in white or indigo, priced at $400.
• Max Model: 16GB RAM, 1TB storage, also available in white or indigo, priced at $500.

The price jump between the base and the pro model is notable, primarily because the base model is limited to black only, and getting a different color means paying a $70 premium alongside the RAM and storage upgrades. The max model adds another $100 on top of that for even more storage and memory.

One of the standout features that separates the Odin 2 Portal from its predecessors—the Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini—is its display. It boasts a 7-inch 1080p OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, a significant upgrade that enhances gaming and streaming experiences alike. The device weighs 438 grams, just slightly heavier than the Nintendo Switch OLED, making it portable but substantial in hand.

Connectivity-wise, the Odin 2 Portal is well-equipped with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and DisplayPort video out. It runs on a custom Android 13 build by Ayn, designed to optimize gaming performance and user experience.

🔄 Recap of What We Know

Before diving into the latest updates and confirmed details from the final review unit, let’s quickly revisit the key points from my earlier impressions and performance videos.

Size and Screen

The Odin 2 Portal is larger than both the original Odin 2 and the Odin 2 Mini, thanks largely to its 7-inch screen. To give you a frame of reference, its size and weight are quite comparable to the Nintendo Switch OLED, which also sports a 7-inch OLED screen. This similarity means if you’re comfortable with the Switch in handheld mode, the Odin 2 Portal’s form factor will feel familiar.

What truly sets this device apart is its all-glass front display. The glass is curved along the edges, providing a premium tactile feel, but it also means the screen is highly reflective and prone to fingerprints and smudges—especially on the black model.

Ergonomics and Controls

The device has a somewhat flat ergonomic design. While there are ergonomic bumps on the back, they are subtle compared to the original Odin 2. The controls are arranged in a V-shaped layout, which is excellent for easy access to the d-pad and right analog stick.

The device excels in d-pad-centric and analog-centric games, such as Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, and PlayStation 2 titles. However, for dual-stick analog games like first-person shooters or modern game streaming titles, the flatness can make prolonged play sessions less comfortable. I personally found the grip less than ideal for these genres, which is a notable consideration.

Analog Sticks and Accessories

The original analog sticks are Hall sensor sticks with excellent precision and range of motion, but they are physically small and shallow, which can be uncomfortable over long sessions. Thankfully, Ayn offers textured joystick caps that are taller, wider, and have better grip. These caps are included for pre-orders from Indiegogo and are available for purchase separately for just $5.

Alongside these caps, the package includes a set of ABXY buttons in a Nintendo Switch-style layout, although I personally prefer the Xbox-style layout for Android gaming. A downside is that the joystick caps only come in black, so if you opt for the white or indigo color variants, there will be a color mismatch. This might inspire creative solutions like 3D-printed replacements from platforms like Etsy.

Audio and Cooling

Audio quality on the Odin 2 Portal is impressive, featuring a rich sound profile with clear lows, mids, and highs. The speakers deliver a satisfying experience at moderate volumes, with minimal distortion or muddiness.

The fan system is nearly silent, even at maximum speed, making it unobtrusive during gameplay. This quiet cooling system is a definite plus for extended gaming sessions.

🆕 New and Confirmed Elements

With the final review unit in hand, I can now confirm several important details and improvements over the prototype.

Build Quality and Materials

The plastics used on the final unit are coated with a film that unfortunately picks up smudges quite easily, especially on the black model. This smudging is a recurring issue across Ayn’s product line and is a bit disappointing given the otherwise premium feel of the glass front. The plastic feels smooth and slightly silky but lacks a textured, matte finish that I’d prefer for better grip and less fingerprint visibility.

Because of this, I actually ordered an indigo model and am considering switching to the white version instead to minimize smudging concerns. The black model’s glossy finish does have the advantage of making the bezels fade into the background during gameplay, but smudges are a real drawback.

Controls Finalization

The d-pad remains one of the best dome-style d-pads available on handhelds today. It offers soft but precise clicks, making it perfect for precision games like Contra and fighting games such as Street Fighter. I experienced no false diagonals or inaccuracies, which is crucial for competitive play.

The face buttons use rubber membranes, which provide a bit more travel and a clicky feel compared to mechanical buttons. However, these buttons are louder and stiffer than I’d like, producing a noticeable clacking sound during gameplay. While not a deal-breaker, it’s something to be aware of if you prefer quieter buttons.

Shoulder and Trigger Buttons

The shoulder buttons feature a textured surface that improves grip, and they’re easy to press. The triggers are analog with a wide range of motion but feel somewhat wedge-shaped and broader than ideal. Despite this, they’re responsive and functional from almost any angle, though not my favorite triggers overall.

Software and Interface

The Odin 2 Portal runs a custom Android 13 build by Ayn, which is clean and gamer-friendly. The settings menu includes an “Odin Settings” section where you can customize:

• Performance profiles
• Screen refresh rate (120Hz or 60Hz)
• Fan profiles
• ABXY button layouts
• Analog triggers: analog or digital mode
• LED lighting colors and brightness around the joysticks
• Rumble motor intensity

There is also a floating icon menu accessible during gameplay that allows quick adjustments to brightness, performance metrics, key mapping, and game-specific profiles. This per-game customization is a thoughtful addition that streamlines your gaming experience.

Video Out Capabilities

Video output works via the USB-C port, supporting a variety of resolutions including 4K and 1440p at different refresh rates. Because the device’s display is 16:9, video output translates well without awkward scaling issues, making it suitable for external monitors and TVs. This is a great feature for those who want to use the Odin 2 Portal as a portable console connected to larger screens.

⚡ Performance Testing

Performance-wise, the Odin 2 Portal lives up to expectations for a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 device. It offers similar performance to the Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini, giving you plenty of power for Android games, emulators, and even some PC game streaming.

Emulation

Thanks to the powerful chipset, the Odin 2 Portal can handle virtually all Android emulators at full speed. The 1080p resolution screen allows for impressive upscaling, such as 4x resolution for PSP and Nintendo 3DS games, and 3x for GameCube and PS2 titles. This translates into a visually stunning retro gaming experience.

That said, some emulators are still in development or beta stages. For example, Wii U emulation through the beta version of the SEU emulator is functional but can be temperamental, especially with save states causing freezes. Nintendo Switch emulation is also limited due to the removal of the official Yuzu app from Android; while some games run well, many do not, so I wouldn’t recommend buying the Odin 2 Portal solely for Switch emulation.

PC Game Streaming

The Odin 2 Portal supports PC game streaming through apps like Moonlight and the newer Apollo fork, which creates a virtual desktop environment. This allows you to stream games at 1080p and 120Hz with HDR support where available.

Games like Destiny 2 benefit significantly from HDR, with colors popping and an enhanced visual experience. While the PC streaming scene is still evolving, this feature adds considerable value to the Odin 2 Portal as a versatile gaming device.

Android Gaming

For native Android games, the Odin 2 Portal performs exceptionally well. It handles high-end titles at max settings with ease, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and ample RAM. The 16:9 aspect ratio and OLED display make for an immersive and vibrant gaming experience.

🔋 Battery Life

The Odin 2 Portal packs an 8,000mAh battery, delivering impressive longevity for a handheld device with such a powerful chip and bright OLED screen.

• Lightweight gaming or game streaming (e.g., Game Boy titles) can yield up to 16 hours of battery life.
• Mid-range games like PS2 and GameCube emulation typically offer around 12 hours.
• Heavy workloads like PC game streaming with Windlader can drain the battery in approximately 2.5 hours.

Standby time is also excellent, with only about 3% battery drain after 12 hours of sleep. For mixed-use scenarios, expect around 8 hours of solid gaming, which is competitive for this class of handheld.

🖥️ Screen Experience

The 7-inch OLED screen on the Odin 2 Portal is arguably its crown jewel. It offers:

• Stunning vibrant colors
• Deep blacks and high contrast
• 120Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth navigation and gameplay
• HDR capability

The high refresh rate isn’t just about smooth menus—it also reduces input latency, making the device highly responsive. One of my favorite features is the support for black frame insertion (BFI) within the RetroArch emulator. BFI inserts black frames between each rendered frame, reducing motion blur and giving a CRT-like quality to retro games. This feature, combined with shaders and overlays, creates one of the best retro gaming visual experiences available on any handheld.

The all-glass front display means minimal bezels, especially on the black model where the bezels blend seamlessly into the shell. However, this also contributes to the fingerprint and smudge issue mentioned earlier.

📡 Streaming and HDR

Game streaming is a strong suit for the Odin 2 Portal, thanks to its powerful Wi-Fi 7 and custom Android build. I tested streaming from PS5, Xbox, and PC, and found the device capable of handling these with minimal latency and no noticeable issues on my upgraded Wi-Fi 6E home network.

The Apollo app, a fork of Moonlight, creates a virtual 120Hz 1080p desktop environment that supports HDR for compatible games. While the number of HDR-enabled PC games is limited, titles like Destiny 2 showcase noticeable improvements in color vibrancy and visual fidelity when HDR is enabled.

Some users have reported connection issues with PS5 streaming, but I did not experience any problems during my testing. Overall, the Odin 2 Portal offers one of the best screens and connectivity setups for handheld game streaming on Android.

🟢 Green Tint?

During my testing, I noticed a subtle green tint appearing when the screen brightness is reduced to about 30% or lower, particularly visible on gray tones. This effect is more pronounced on the Odin 2 Portal’s black model but can be seen on other OLED devices like the IO Pocket Evo and Nintendo Switch OLED as well. Interestingly, it does not appear on all OLED screens, such as those on the Retroid Pocket 5 or Steam Deck OLED.

This green tint is subtle and unlikely to affect most users during regular gameplay, but it is something to be aware of if you are sensitive to color accuracy or frequently play in low brightness settings. It might be related to the panel itself or software calibration, and hopefully a future software update can address it.

👍👎 Summary (Likes and Dislikes)

What I Like

• Screen: The 7-inch 1080p OLED with 120Hz and HDR is absolutely stunning and enhances every gaming experience.
• Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers rock-solid Android gaming and emulation performance.
• Battery Life: Exceptional longevity for a device of this power, with up to 16 hours on light use.
• Audio: Rich, clear sound with a quiet fan that rarely interrupts gameplay.
• Software: Custom Android build that is intuitive and allows detailed customization without getting in the way.
• Video Out: Versatile USB-C video output with support for 4K and 1440p resolutions.
• Accessories: Useful joystick caps and button sets enhance the controls significantly.

What I Don’t Like

• Ergonomics: The flat design and small grips make extended play, especially for FPS games, less comfortable.
• Face Buttons: Rubber membrane buttons are louder and stiffer than I’d prefer.
• Smudging: The glossy black plastic collects fingerprints heavily, detracting from the premium look.
• Price: Starting at $330 for the base black model, with color and spec upgrades pushing it to $400-$500, it’s a serious investment.
• Limited Switch Emulation: Due to software limitations, Switch emulation is hit or miss and shouldn’t be a primary use case.

🎯 Conclusion

After extensive testing and careful consideration, I can confidently say that the Odin 2 Portal is one of the best Android-based handhelds ever made. It combines a gorgeous, high-refresh OLED screen with a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip to deliver excellent gaming, emulation, and streaming experiences.

While it has a few minor drawbacks—such as the flat ergonomics, smudging-prone black finish, and loud face buttons—none of these are deal breakers. The device’s strengths, particularly the screen and battery life, more than make up for these issues.

Whether you’re deep into Android gaming, retro emulation, or PC game streaming, the Odin 2 Portal is a compelling choice. It offers a lightweight, portable alternative to x86 handheld PCs like the Steam Deck, trading off some game compatibility for better battery life and a sleeker form factor.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a premium, high-performance Android handheld with a stunning display and solid all-around features, the Odin 2 Portal deserves serious consideration. It’s a perfect storm of hardware and software that delivers a unique gaming experience you won’t find elsewhere.

Are you thinking about picking up the Odin 2 Portal, or is it a bit too rich for your blood? Let me know your thoughts and questions below—I’m always eager to hear from fellow gamers and enthusiasts. Until next time, happy gaming!